The project, known as GlucoBrain, will create a miniature connected system that mimics communication between the brain, gut and pancreas.
Alongside the University of Bath, the three-year study brings together scientists from the University of Oxford and Johns Hopkins University to build what researchers describe as a first-of-its-kind multi-organ platform.
The organ-on-chip device is designed to track how biological signals travel between organs and how glucose levels may influence brain function.
Researchers believe the organ-on-chip model could provide critical insight into why people with diabetes appear to face a greater risk of developing dementia-related conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The technology may also accelerate drug discovery and reduce dependence on animal testing by offering a more accurate human-based research system.
GlucoBrain is funded through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Health Technologies Connectivity Awards programme and is scheduled to begin in October.
Diabetes and dementia remain two of the most significant health challenges facing ageing populations worldwide.
Although diabetes is commonly associated with cardiovascular disease, kidney damage and vision problems, mounting evidence suggests it may also affect memory, learning and overall cognitive performance.
Scientists have struggled to pinpoint the biological pathways responsible for the connection between diabetes and dementia.
Existing studies have relied heavily on animal models, patient observation and basic cell cultures, which often fail to replicate the complex communication networks between human organs.
The GlucoBrain project aims to close that gap using organ-on-chip technology. These miniature systems use living human cells housed in engineered devices that recreate the environments and functions of real organs.
Unlike conventional petri dish cultures, organ-on-chip platforms allow cells to grow in three dimensions while receiving controlled nutrients and biochemical signals.
By connecting separate models of the gut, pancreas and brain, researchers will be able to monitor how hormones, glucose fluctuations and cellular signals influence each organ in real time.
The project team plans to first build individual organ-on-chip models before integrating them into a connected system capable of simulating interactions across the body.
Researchers will gradually increase the model’s complexity to observe how organs respond to changing glucose levels and experimental drug treatments. The approach is expected to generate more physiologically accurate data than many current laboratory methods.
Clinical experts at the University of Oxford will support the development of diabetes and metabolic disease models to ensure the system reflects real biological processes.
Meanwhile, researchers at Johns Hopkins University will contribute specialist expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and brain organoids, which are miniature lab-grown tissue models that mimic aspects of the human brain.
The interdisciplinary programme also includes engineers, biologists, clinicians and computer scientists working together to model disease progression and organ communication.
Scientists involved in the project believe organ-on-chip systems could reshape how researchers study chronic diseases and test potential therapies.
Because the technology uses human cells rather than animal models, it may yield results more relevant to human biology. Researchers also expect the platform to improve the speed and efficiency of drug testing while reducing research costs over time.
The long-term ambition is to combine organ-on-chip systems with artificial intelligence to better understand how diseases develop and interact across the body.
Researchers say future versions could eventually support personalised medicine by using a patient’s own cells to predict which treatments are likely to work best.
As organ-on-chip technology continues to evolve, projects like GlucoBrain are positioning the field at the centre of next-generation medical research, particularly in areas where multiple diseases intersect and traditional laboratory models have struggled to deliver answers.
The latest handpicked content, focusing on breaking developments and in-depth analysis from key research and innovation partners.
As a Crossref Sponsored Member, we are able to connect your content with a global network of online scholarly research, currently over 24,000 other organisational members from 166 countries. Crossref drive metadata exchange and support nearly 2 billion monthly API queries, facilitating global research communication.
Innovation News Network brings you the latest research and innovation news from the fields of science, environment, energy, critical raw materials, technology, and electric vehicles.
Disclaimer: This website is an independent portal and is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Please Note: Phone calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.
© Pan European Networks Ltd
